Ayambem Emerges C-River Assembly Speaker
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Edet Otu has proclaimed the 10th State House of Assembly with Hon Elvert Ayambem emerging unopposed as the new Speaker.
Ayambem, a two-term lawmaker and member representing Ikom State Constituency 11, emerged the sole candidate for the Speakership position at the close of nomination and was subsequently returned unopposed by his colleagues.
To ably assist Ayambem in piloting the affairs of the 25-member House as Deputy Speaker is Hon Sylvester Agabi of Obudu State constituency.
In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated Speaker thanked his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him to lead the legislative arm of government and pledged to justify their trust in his leadership.
Hon Ayambem stressed the need for lawmakers to forge an effective partnership with the Executive arm of government, noting that the task of developing Cross River State should be seen as the collective responsibility irrespective of political party affiliations.
According to him, cooperating with the Executive on issues of good governance should not be seen as an act of compromise since the lawmakers would still exercise their independence with freedom to perform their oversight functions on the executive arm without let or hindrance.
He also reminded his colleagues that the State’s current precarious economic situation requires proactive actions and conscious efforts from all quarters as the constituents’ welfare should be paramount in their hearts at all times.
Meanwhile, insiders sources within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state hinted that the member representing Boki State Constituency 11, Hon Hillary Bisong was initially touted as the preferred candidate for the Speakership but certain underlining factors played a cruel trick on him at the last minute.
The sources said some Party’s stakeholders finger Bisong, whose mother, Professor Florence Bankong Obi, is the current Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar (UNICAL), as being too independently minded to occupy the office.
And moving to avoid any unforeseen situation in their desire to have what insiders described as an ‘understanding and interactive’ legislature, forces within the Party’s top echelon therefore decided to put spanner in the works and effectively nib his aspiration in the bud.
One reliable source explained that the choice of Ayambem was based on his popularity and closeness with other lawmakers as well as perceived meekness and readiness to carry everyone along as a leader.
This is besides his being conversant with the House rules and intrigues required to effectively serve as the Assembly’s presiding officer.
